Published: September 03, 2009 11:32 pm      

TIM PRESTON: Tough times, guitars, a party 090609

I enjoyed a late dinner at Rajah’s Family Restaurant at the Meade Station along U.S. 60, and spent a few minutes talking with owner Ron Elliott, who is convinced the nation’s economic problems just might be too great or any single president to overcome.

Times are tough for small businesses everywhere, and the local restaurant had an extra complication a few weeks back when heavy rains caused the storm water to flood their business for the fourth time in recent months. Known for their attention to “keeping things clean,” the staff at Rajah’s had the entire place sanitized in record time, but still suffered losses that were hard to overcome.

Elliott’s wife got a “far away look” in her eyes as she talked about the mess they had to deal with, and the frustration of dealing with flood insurance, but ultimately smiled as she confidently predicted they will keep doing business until something bigger than a flood gets in their way.

I know everyone is having to keep an eye on their budget, but if you have a favorite “mom and pop” business, you may want to drop by and spend a dollar or two while you’re there. Otherwise, that favorite place could easily become a thing of the past before you realize it is gone.

Strings and things

Emily Rollins and Jeff Curry have their new store, EJ’s Guitar and Music Shop, stocked and ready for customers at Kyova Tri-State Mall and Lifestyle Center on U.S. 60 near Cannonsburg.

Rollins said they have several banjos handcrafted by Lawrence County builder Joe Hardwick (whose work I’ve seen and can attest to) as well as guitars custom made by Bob Thompson of Ravenswood, W. Va., and more affordable instruments by brands including Morgan-Monroe, Devlin and acoustic/electric models by J&D Guitars.

The shop will have a full line of strings and accessories in addition to offering complete instrument repair jobs, lessons and accessories. Rollins said she also hopes to have a line of digital pianos in the shop be the end of the month. The new music store, between Custom Metal Creations and Uniforms Inc., will be open by the time this hits print, although they are still waiting for their official business telephone number.

Customer appreciation

The staff at KY Home Supply at 1410 Wolohan Road (behind the Cannonsburg Flea Market) are planning a customer appreciation sale and celebration Sept. 25 and 26.

The event includes discount prices on their new lines of hardware, as well as drawings every 15 minutes for free prizes, along with “plenty of food and drink,” live music, paint demonstrations and several vendors available to discuss their products.

For more information, visit www.kysupply.net or call (606) 929-9888

Greenhouse open again

The staff at Summit Greenhouse will reopen the business Saturday and remain open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until the end of October.

Visitors can expect to find more than 35 varieties of Yoder mums, and owner Rocky Ingles expects pumpkins and straw to arrive in late September, just in time for Halloween and fall lawn decorations.

To find Summit Greenhouse, turn off of U.S. 60 at Fannin Motors and look for the business less than a mile away on the right, across from the National Guard facility. For more information, e-mail ri2759@yahoo.com or call (606) 615-2692.

New salon

Melissa Roe-White and Natalie Martin-Hicks joined local officials to cut the ribbon at their new business Bella Si Salon at 615 Wheatley Road in Westwood this week.

White, who has been a Master Stylist for seven years and Hicks, a nail technician for five years, pride themselves in being strong, busy moms and new business owners.

“We are looking so forward to turning this beauty salon into a great success and serve the people of Westwood and Ashland with exceptional hair and nail services,” White said. “Natalie and I have been working for a corporation for several years and decided it was time to fulfill our dream of being business owners when this shop became available.”

The salon owners want to share their dream of providing quality, trendy and affordable hair and nail services in a friendly and inviting environment. They also plan to give back to the community whenever possible, including support for local Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops as well as participation in the Locks of Love program, assistance with prom day hair services for those who need it and other projects to aid the underprivileged of the area.

For more information, call (606) 327-5553 or (740) 442-1915.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.